Iran has been hit by a massive wave of redundancies, both directly and indirectly as a result of the conflict with the US and Israel. The Deputy Work and Social Security Minister, Gholamhossein Mohammadi, stated that two million people have lost their jobs because of the war.
The widespread lay-offs are one of the biggest topics among ordinary Iranians on social media, with employers and government officials euphemistically referring to it as balancing the workforce. The impact is felt beyond factories closed after being targeted; it includes manufacturers, retailers, and the digital sector.
Social media reflects this grim reality, with users commenting on empty public transportation, available parking, and quicker commutes in Tehran. Consumer spending has dipped as families cut back to essentials, further affecting sectors such as tourism and retail.
Moreover, the Iranian authorities' decision to impose an internet blackout since the war's onset has severely disrupted the tech and digital sectors, costing the economy around $1.8 billion to date as per the Information and Communication Technology Minister's earlier remarks.
Female earners have been hit particularly hard, as many relied on social media platforms for sales. The media landscape isn't spared either, with outlets like the Iran Labour News Agency letting go of employees and transitioning them to freelancers amidst increasing demand for reporting on the conflict.
Further exacerbating the crisis, air strikes in late March and early April targeted major petrochemical and steel plants, causing direct job losses and impacting hundreds of thousands more in related industries like car manufacturing.
As the Iranian economy reels under a 50% inflation rate and waning global support, lost jobs from the conflict could plunge many into deeper hardship. If the war continues or sanctions remain in force, life could worsen, bringing devastating economic consequences alongside the war's destruction.
